He was elected in Crescentwood in 1995. In 1999 he became the Minister of Family Services & Housing in the first Doer Government. He was transferred to the new portfolio of Science Energy & Technology in 2002. In 2003 he was appointed Minister of Health. Sale did not seek re-election in 2007.

Since the merger, Agricore United became the largest agribusiness in western Canada dealing in grains, oilseeds, special crops, marketing, agri-products, agri-food processing, and feed manufacturing. The merger also allowed for a greater ability to access public markets for additional capital. The company has weathered adverse growing conditions, such as drought and floods in various parts of western Canada, low grain stocks, and growing competition from international markets. While offering farmers management services like financing, risk management, agronomic expertise, and access to end-use markets, Agricore United has been able to capitalize on a wider system of developed infrastructure networks of port terminals, country elevators, and farm service centres.